Packers-49ers matchups: Capers vs. Roman

The 49ers play the Packers Saturday at the Stick. In the meantime, I’ll break down the key matchups.

Dom Capers vs. Greg Roman

Greg Roman completely outcoached Dom Capers in Week 1.

Capers expected the 49ers to run up the middle with Gore and around the outside with Kendall Hunter. So Roman did the opposite – he ran Gore around the edges and Hunter up the middle.

That won’t trick Capers this time.

I expect Capers to be ready for Greg Roman’s tricks, and to have many more tricks of his own to try to confuse Colin Kaepernick.

A big reason the 49ers beat the Packers in Week 1 was Alex Smith routinely diagnosed the Packers’ defense at the line of scrimmage and got the 49ers’ offense into the right plays. I expect Capers to try to make the young and inexperienced Kaepernick have to diagnose things he’s never season.

I expect a lot from Capers, but the burden of proof is on him because Roman outsmarted him last time.